Cosmetic Bonding

What Is It?
Tooth bonding is the application of composite resin to the surface of the tooth to repair it. It’s a simple, inexpensive cosmetic dental procedure that is usually completed in a single visit.
There are lots of dental issues that bonding can correct. However, tooth bonding is most often used to correct chipped or discolored teeth. Bonding can also be used to close the large spaces between teeth, change the shape of teeth or make teeth appear longer or protect the exposed root of a tooth with receded gums.

What to Expect First, your dentist will use a shade guide to select a shade of resin that will match the natural color of the tooth most closely. Before attaching the bonding, the surface of the tooth is roughened and lightly coated with a conditioning liquid so that the bonding material will stick to the surface more easily.
Once the tooth is prepared, your dentist will apply the putty-like resin to the tooth and mold it until it is in the proper shape. After the resin is set, your dentist will complete any finishing touches, such as additional shaping and polishing of the bonding to match the rest of your teeth.
It usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete the bonding procedure. However, if you are having multiple teeth done, it could take several visits to complete. Because most tooth bonding procedures do not require anesthesia, you can return to normal daily activity immediately after your appointment.

Risks The downside to tooth bonding is that the composite resin isn’t nearly as strong as a natural tooth, so it’s more likely that it can chip or break off completely. If you’re about to go in for a tooth bonding procedure, it might be time to kick habits, such as biting your fingernails or chewing on ice or pens, as these things can chip the resin.

How to Care for Bonded Teeth How long bonding lasts depends on how much bonding you have done and your oral habits, so it’s important to give bonded teeth the same amount of care and attention as your natural teeth. Bonding material is prone to staining, so watch how often you consume substances that can stain, such as tea, coffee, cigarette smoke and wine.
It’s especially important to avoid consuming staining foods for the first 48 hours after any composite procedure.

In the days after having the bonding placed, call your dentist if you notice sharp edges on the bonded teeth, or your teeth feel unusual when you bite down. Always call your dentist if the bonding chips or pieces fall off completely.